Free Agent Signings for Packers or Elsewhere...

[Mondio]

If Levy was Levy he wouldn't have lasted 2 days into FA

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I would've gave Zach Brown that money in a heartbeat. Its a one year deal. He fulfills a need. Packers have the money. High reward/low risk. Its a one year deal!!!

The Packers aren't in dire need of an upgrade at inside linebacker therefore there was no reason to spend that kind of money on Brown.

Moves we've seen so far are two guys to shore up the DL in light of Guion's absence again and an outside corner to allow at least one of Randall/Rollins/Gunter to play inside. No moves yet to replace Peppers or Jones. I wouldn't be surprised to see another Edge rusher signed or perhaps another guy for depth at ILB or a Guard/Center to compete with Murphy and Patrick. Could even see a RB brought in on a cheap contract. Lots of possibilities, plenty of cap room, plenty of unemployed free agents and plenty of time.

Ferguson most likely won't even make the roster. Once again, there's no reason to speculate about transactions Thompson might make down the road, as of right now the moves he has actually made on defense are disappointing overall.

I'll admit I'd probably prefer to be banking on the latter but it is what it is considering I wouldn't have dropped the amount of coin it would've taken to lure one of the top corners here either.

Bouye has a cap hit of only $5.5 million this season, which is $3.5 million less than what the Packers saved by releasing Shields.

DeAndre Levy is another guy that I am waiting to see signed (by someone). His past 2 years of injuries must be a major concern. The Lions cut him and only saved $1.19M by doing so, while still having $7.2M of dead cap, so that is probably telling us quite a bit of what they thought of his future.

Depending on his health, something around vet minimum with no guarantees might get him back to his home State to finish out his career. Could add some nice depth and veteran leadership to the Linebacking group.

Unfortunately I guess that Levy is done.

 

[Poppa San]

Bouye has a cap hit of only $5.5 million this season, which is $3.5 million less than what the Packers saved by releasing Shields.

You keep repeating this as if he signed a one year deal. Next year and for the three following years his cap hit is $15.5m. Next year's dead cap is $21m. You'd lose $5.5m by cutting him. Granted year three thru five his dead cap is $6,m, $4m and $2m.
http://overthecap.com/player/a-j-bouye/2606/
IMO 2 years for $21m with a following $6m dead cap is not the end of the world for a two year rental.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

You keep repeating this as if he signed a one year deal. Next year and for the three following years his cap hit is $15.5m.

I'm ignoring Bouye's cap hit after the 2017 season because the Packers would have had to either re-sign Shields or bring in another #1 cornerback at that point anyway.

 

[brandon2348]

You keep repeating this as if he signed a one year deal. Next year and for the three following years his cap hit is $15.5m. Next year's dead cap is $21m. You'd lose $5.5m by cutting him. Granted year three thru five his dead cap is $6,m, $4m and $2m.
http://overthecap.com/player/a-j-bouye/2606/
IMO 2 years for $21m with a following $6m dead cap is not the end of the world for a two year rental.

No.1 corner is one of the most important spots on the field. We're not talking about overpaying a guard here. Shields contract was demanding top dollar as pointed out and salary cap will reach 200 mill within a few years.

There was no reasonable reason I can think of to not bring in a top corner with Shields career coming to an abrupt end.

What makes the whole thing even more crazy is the willingness to pay Matthews all that money and have a huge hole at corner.

 

[McKnowledge]

I think the Packers are pretty high on Ryan and Martinez, so spending that kind of money on a 3rd ILB probably wouldn't have made a whole lot of sense with trying to find snaps for all 3. With as injury prone and inconsistent as Clay Matthews has been, I would have rather seen that money go to a FA OLB.

I think the Packers are high on Ryan and Martinez too. Which makes me think what the Packers are high on . Those two are not solutions. Brown is a starting ILB, not a 3rd ILB, as you suggest. CM3 isn't inconsistent, he's not utilized correctly. His production doesn't warrant his salary, because he is no longer an every down LB. CM3's specialty is pass rushing, and he's been asked to do too much over the last three seasons. You throw a lot of money a player's way doesn't lead to them succeeding at things he isn't accustomed to doing. I think across sports in general, when a player builds a mystique about themselves, people tend to think they are capable of always performing at that legendary level. However, signing a FA OLB is a great suggestion. Mario Williams name comes to mind. Looks like the Packers are bulking up the front end.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I think the Packers are high on Ryan and Martinez too. Which makes me think what the Packers are high on . Those two are not solutions. Brown is a starting ILB, not a 3rd ILB, as you suggest. CM3 isn't inconsistent, he's not utilized correctly. His production doesn't warrant his salary, because he is no longer an every down LB. CM3's specialty is pass rushing, and he's been asked to do too much over the last three seasons. You throw a lot of money a player's way doesn't lead to them succeeding at things he isn't accustomed to doing. I think across sports in general, when a player builds a mystique about themselves, people tend to think they are capable of always performing at that legendary level. However, signing a FA OLB is a great suggestion. Mario Williams name comes to mind. Looks like the Packers are bulking up the front end.

I never suggested Brown would be 3rd on the depth chart, I meant "3rd" as in 3 starters. Thus the "finding snaps for all 3."

I get what you are saying about Ryan and Martinez, but I think both have shown some good things and it's far too early in both of their careers to give up on either and replace them with Brown, especially with what he ended up getting paid. I have been very vocal about the ILB position and the lack of talent the Packers have had there for too long, but I like what I have seen out of Martinez and Ryan. I am still not sold on Joe Thomas.

As far as CM3, people that keep bringing his salary up and trying to use it as a glaring example of how the Packers are over paying someone need to keep in mind a few things. Clay was at the top of his game when he signed that deal. It's the risk you run when you want to lock up a Pro Bowl caliber player. So far it's been a negative deal for the Packers, but the dead cap hit isn't avoidable and the Packers have to weigh what it would take to replace Clay, along with what he still has the potential to do, with any savings of cutting him. I am guessing right now, it makes more sense, to the Packers, to keep Clay for at least one more season, before making a decision as to his future in Green Bay.

 

[brandon2348]

As far as CM3, people that keep bringing his salary up and trying to use it as a glaring example of how the Packers are over paying someone need to keep in mind a few things. Clay was at the top of his game when he signed that deal. It's the risk you run when you want to lock up a Pro Bowl caliber player. So far it's been a negative deal for the Packers, but the dead cap hit isn't avoidable and the Packers have to weigh what it would take to replace Clay, along with what he still has the potential to do, with any savings of cutting him. I am guessing right now, it makes more sense, to the Packers, to keep Clay for at least one more season, before making a decision as to his future in Green Bay.

This is exactly where the problem lies. They could of released Matthew's and ate the dead cap space while locking up Barwin on a one year deal and either doubling down on another 1 year deal on Claiborne or signing Bouye and still be "ahead of the curve".

I would of preferred Claiborne on a 1 year deal and then drafting edge and Corner and developing. This is the type of maneuvering Thompson is not capable of doing and will probably cost us another season.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

This is exactly where the problem lies. They could of released Matthew's and ate the dead cap space while locking up Barwin on a one year deal and either doubling down on another 1 year deal on Claiborne or signing Bouye and still be "ahead of the curve".

I would have preferred to renegotiate Matthews' contract as the Packers still benefit by having him on the roster but not at the current price tag.

 

[brandon2348]

I would have preferred to renegotiate Matthews' contract as the Packers still benefit by having him on the roster but not at the current price tag.

This would of been the ideal situation but you gotta wonder is any of this was even explored.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

CM3 is probably a decision that the Packers are still weighing, so I don't think we can conclude anything, until he is on the final 53 man, AKA Josh Sitton.

IMO it's a tough decision and not as black and white as some want to make it. Definitely worthy of its own thread.

 

[brandon2348]

I would take Barwin and Claiborne over Matthew's and House alll day long right now. Claiborne trending up and House trending down. Matthews/Barwin is a push at worse case but I think Barwin still has a little left in tank. Matthews has "damaged goods" written all over him.

Seem pretty "black and white" to me.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I would take Barwin and Claiborne over Matthew's and House alll day long right now. Claiborne trending up and House trending down. Matthews/Barwin is a push at worse case but I think Barwin still has a little left in tank. Matthews has "damaged goods" written all over him.

Seem pretty "black and white" to me.

Matthews struggled last season but overall has been a better player than Barwin. Therefore I agree with keeping Clay over signing the free agent.

 

[brandon2348]

Matthews struggled last season but overall has been a better player than Barwin. Therefore I agree with keeping Clay over signing the free agent.

It's about value right now. Rather be on the hook for Barwin for 6.5 for a season then Clay at 15 mill regardless of the 4 mill dead cap hit.

Would of freed up money to be used at corner while still having cap leverage to keep roster in tact.

Do you wanna sell a lot of Clay Matthews jersey's and watch his commercials or win a Super Bowl?

 

[Deleted member 6794]

It's about value right now. Rather be on the hook for Barwin for 6.5 for a season then Clay at 15 mill regardless of the 4 mill dead cap hit.

Would of freed up money to be used at corner while still having cap leverage to keep roster in tact.

Do you wanna sell a lot of Clay Matthews jersey's and watch his commercials or win a Super Bowl?

The Packers had sufficient cap space to sign a cornerback but Thompson inexplicably decided there was no need for a #1 on the depth chart.

 

[brandon2348]

The Packers had sufficient cap space to sign a cornerback but Thompson inexplicably decided there was no need for a #1 on the depth chart.

Yep, good old Ted Thompson is literally "cutting corners" again trying to build a Super Bowl roster and save a few bucks while keeping one of his own the most overpaid player in the league.

I hate to reference the Pat's and BB but do you think Matthews would be hanging around NE right now at 15 mill with a 4 mill Cap hit? Lol

 

[PackerDNA]

Yep, good old Ted Thompson is literally "cutting corners" again trying to build a Super Bowl roster and save a few bucks while keeping one of his own the most overpaid player in the league.

I hate to reference the Pat's and BB but do you think Matthews would be hanging around NE right now at 15 mill with a 4 mill Cap hit? Lol

By all means , keep pointing to BB and the Pats. This organization could learn a lot from them.

 

[brandon2348]

By all means , keep pointing to BB and the Pats. This organization could learn a lot from them.

Well there tying to trade for Richard Sherman right now is the rumor. Lol.

Could you imagine them with Gilmore and Sherman and we're sitting tight with House and Randall?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Yep, good old Ted Thompson is literally "cutting corners" again trying to build a Super Bowl roster and save a few bucks while keeping one of his own the most overpaid player in the league.

I hate to reference the Pat's and BB but do you think Matthews would be hanging around NE right now at 15 mill with a 4 mill Cap hit? Lol

Would you have resigned Clay 4 years ago? If yes, was his contract fair at the time? Would you have cut Clay last year, when his Dead Cap hit was $17.35M? This is one of those situations that will eventually play out. Clay will either be on the team under his current/renegotiated contract, or as some suggest, be gone via a cut or trade (doubtful). Currently the Packers don't need his cap space, so I have to guess that it is something they are keeping an eye on, but not an urgent "we need to purge him now!" one. Personally, I am on the fence with CM3. Given our lack of OLB depth, we currently need him, so a renegotiation of his contract is the preferred route. But if the Packers are convinced that they can replace him and his play won't improve to meet his value, than he should be gone before the final 53 is determined.

 

[brandon2348]

Would you have resigned Clay 4 years ago? If yes, was his contract fair at the time? Would you have cut Clay last year, when his Dead Cap hit was $17.35M? This is one of those situations that will eventually play out. Clay will either be on the team under his current/renegotiated contract, or as some suggest, be gone via a cut or trade (doubtful). Currently the Packers don't need his cap space, so I have to guess that it is something they are keeping an eye on, but not an urgent "we need to purge him now!" one. Personally, I am on the fence with CM3. Given our lack of OLB depth, we currently need him, so a renegotiation of his contract is the preferred route. But if the Packers are convinced that they can replace him and his play won't improve to meet his value, than he should be gone before the final 53 is determined.

I think the Clay Matthews contract was great 4 years ago. With only 4 mill in dead money "right now" the Pack can get out if he didn't play up to the contract which he hasn't. You gotta know when to move on from these guys. BB knows when too. Can't let the warm fuzzy of old impact your decisions today. Someone should of grown some balls and told Clay he needed to take a paycut at the very least.

I already posted they could of signed Barwin for 6.5 on a 1 year rental while they draft an edge guy and hopefully develop the other guys they have.

The other great thing about locking up a no.1 corner before the draft that impacts all this is then Thompson could be more wide open to attack the board come draft day and bring the best player in. Wouldnt have to be reaching for a need.

 

[PackAttack12]

The other great thing about locking up a no.1 corner before the draft that impacts all this is then Thompson could be more wide open to attack the board come draft day and bring the best player in. Wouldnt have to be reaching for a need.

Right.

Plus it's much more difficult to find an instant contributor, let alone #1 cornerback quality in the 1st round if you're expecting them to be a factor in year 1. That's why Thompson's approach is so sketchy at this point.

I certainly hope he isn't soley relying on House to fix all of the woes in the secondary, along with praying for Randall, Rollins, Gunter to magically take huge leaps.

 

[C-Lee]

If the Pats get Richard Sherman, I will jump off a cliff.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I think the Clay Matthews contract was great 4 years ago. With only 4 mill in dead money "right now" the Pack can get out if he didn't play up to the contract which he hasn't. You gotta know when to move on from these guys. BB knows when too. Can't let the warm fuzzy of old impact your decisions today. Someone should of grown some balls and told Clay he needed to take a paycut at the very least.

I already posted they could of signed Barwin for 6.5 on a 1 year rental while they draft an edge guy and hopefully develop the other guys they have.

The other great thing about locking up a no.1 corner before the draft that impacts all this is then Thompson could be more wide open to attack the board come draft day and bring the best player in. Wouldnt have to be reaching for a need.

As someone who was hoping the Packers would sign Barwin (cheaper than the $6.5M), I understand your thinking. But your thinking assumes two things. One, that Barwin would sign with the Packers as well as play up to the value of that contract. Two, that Matthews won't play up to his contract or renegotiate it. If the Packers and Barwin actually had mutual interest, the Packers, right or wrong, decided that for now, Clay was worth the $4.475 M difference.

 

[brandon2348]

As someone who was hoping the Packers would sign Barwin (cheaper than the $6.5M), I understand your thinking. But your thinking assumes two things. One, that Barwin would sign with the Packers as well as play up to the value of that contract. Two, that Matthews won't play up to his contract or renegotiate it. If the Packers and Barwin actually had mutual interest, the Packers, right or wrong, decided that for now, Clay was worth the $4.475 M difference.

Yeah and they could of slid that savings right over and signed Claiborne. Heck, they could of gotten both Bouye and Claiborne and still be in good shape.

And I'm sorry. If you cant lure Conner Barwin from the LA Rams to the Green Bay Packers for similar money then you have no bizz GMing for the Packers.

 

[swhitset]

Yeah and they could of slid that savings right over and signed Claiborne. Heck, they could of gotten both Bouye and Claiborne and still be in good shape.

And I'm sorry. If you cant lure Conner Barwin from the LA Rams to the Green Bay Packers for similar money then you have no bizz GMing for the Packers.

A lot of assumptions in these statements. Don't forget you are talking about human beings not pieces on a chessboard. You have no idea what the mindset of Barwin is.... perhaps moving from Southern California to tiny cold Green Bay Wisconsin does not appeal to him... maybe it does.... maybe lifestyle is more important to him than winning... (and if so we would definitely not want him in Green Bay). Maybe he would prefer to play in Green Bay.... but none of us knows these and many more things.